About Natural Recipes for Cleaning a Carpet

For many, the organic movement means buying local food, recycling plastic bottles and using dishes instead of paper plates. These are important first steps, but don't leave out areas such as home cleaning and personal care. Home cleaners contain harsh cleaners that are harmful to people and the environment. Carpet cleaners are especially dangerous in households with young children and pets, as they spend much of their time breathing in the vapors of whatever is being emitted from the ground.

Benefits

Nonorganic carpets already contain a host of chemicals and synthetic materials that are emitted into the air. Synthetic cleaners only add to the danger. Carpet cleaners can contain pesticides, formaldehyde, acids and unnatural fragrances, all of which can cause allergies and irritate the lungs and nasal passages.

No matter how chemical cleaners are disposed of, they always end up back in the environment, where they harm the Earth and wildlife as much as they can harm humans in the home. Natural cleaners contain none of these dangers, and can be made from cheap ingredients found at the grocery store.

Ingredients

Carpet cleaners can be made largely from two ingredients: white vinegar and baking soda. Add either to water for a simple, cheap cleaning solution.

White vinegar has strong stain-removing powers but can still be used regularly. The smell generally dissipates when it is dry, but mix in essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus for a more pleasant scent. Use a spray bottle to apply it directly to stains, or use in a steam cleaner in lieu of a commercial solution.

Baking soda can be mixed with water or simply sprinkled over carpet. Wait 15-30 minutes and then vacuum it up to remove odors from the carpet fibers.

Misconceptions

Many assume that natural cleaners are not as effective as commercial, nonorganic ones. Natural ingredients are not as harsh as the chemicals found in cleaners, but this does not mean that they do not work as well. Natural cleaners generally require a little more effort, in the form of scrubbing or waiting for the product to set in, but the end result is better: a carpet that is just as clean, without the potentially toxic side effects.

Warning

Use caution if attempting to purchase organic carpet cleaning products. There are many commercial cleaning products that advertise themselves as natural or organic, but there is currently no nationwide standard for the use of these two words on commercial products. What the company thinks is organic may not fit the consumer's definition of a truly natural product. It is safer--and cheaper--to stick with homemade products.

Tips

Experiment with the balance of each ingredient in the recipe. Use more vinegar for stronger stains or highly trafficked areas, and less for a general cleaning. Different materials and messes may require different concentrations of vinegar or baking soda.

Always test the cleaning product in an inconspicuous area of the carpet. They should not damage any materials, but it is still important to check.

Mix cleaning products ahead of time and keep them stored and labeled in a cabinet. They will always be available for quick use and will help to avoid running to the grocery store unexpectedly.

References

• Recipes for Natural Cleaners
• Natural Carpet Cleaner Solutions
• The Benefits of Organic Carpet Cleaners

[sherlane]

on 9/6/2009 Good info and quick to use.